Actor Rocco Nacino, whose contract with GMA 7 Artist Center prohibits him from endorsing political candidates in the coming elections, believes there are still honest politicians.

“It’s always better to be optimistic. I know that they’re out there,” says Nacino, who plays the lead in “Bayan Ko,” GMA News TV 11’s first original series. “This series encourages voters to elect the right people.”

Nacino plays a fictional character—Mayor Joseph Santiago who, at 30, is one of his town’s youngest mayors. His efforts to fight corruption are blocked by the governor (Pen Medina) and his congressman son (Ping Medina).

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Pen stresses the importance of the series. “It gives us a peek into what really happens in government. It aims to stir us into action. A dishonest and corrupt person should not be given a position of power.”

Wicked, heartless

He adds: “Some colleagues have asked me why I agreed to play this character, who is wicked and heartless. I replied, ‘How can we show the other side of politicians, which they try very hard to hide from us, if not through projects like this?”

Actress Mercedes Cabral says she has never come across a material like “Bayan Ko,” which she describes as “serious, brave and hard-hitting.” Mercedes plays a powerful contractor who is also the governor’s lover.

Says Cabral, “The series will expose issues that are talked about only in whispers. As an actor, I’m proud to serve as a tool for change. Once we know all these things, the next question should be, ‘What do we plan to do about it?’”